19/04/2020  Shatin  Race 4

RACING LUCK began awkwardly. SHANGHAI GRACE and LONDON LUCKYSTAR were badly crowded for room on jumping between YOUNG THUNDER and TOUCH OF LUCK, both of which shifted ground abruptly. This resulted in YOUNG THUNDER, SHANGHAI GRACE and TOUCH OF LUCK all becoming badly unbalanced and LONDON LUCKYSTAR being checked, clipping the heels of TOUCH OF LUCK and stumbling. After this, LONDON LUCKYSTAR was shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. From wide barriers, BRAVE KING, SUPERICH and FOODIE PRINCESS were all steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Shortly after the start, PRECISE EXPRESS got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of PING HAI TREASURE. Passing the 1400 Metres, NUREMBERG was steadied away from the heels of CLEAR CHOICE. In the early stages, TOUCH OF LUCK was left racing wide and without cover and after the 1100 Metres was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead. Approaching the 1100 Metres, CLEAR CHOICE was steadied away from the heels of COT CAMPBELL. NUREMBERG, which was following, was inconvenienced. LONDON LUCKYSTAR was held up rounding the Home Turn and unable to improve. COT CAMPBELL was badly held up for clear running from on straightening until passing the 200 Metres. COT CAMPBELL was again held up for a run approaching the 100 Metres and was shifted out from behind PING HAI TREASURE and CLEAR CHOICE to obtain clear running over the concluding stages. In the Straight, SUPERICH lay out under pressure. For the majority of the race, SHANGHAI GRACE travelled wide and without cover. The performances of YOUNG THUNDER and SHANGHAI GRACE, both of which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, YOUNG THUNDER and SHANGHAI GRACE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of YOUNG THUNDER immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. A veterinary inspection of SHANGHAI GRACE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. H W Lai reported that PRECISE EXPRESS was making an abnormal breathing noise after the race. A veterinary inspection of PRECISE EXPRESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of PRECISE EXPRESS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, PRECISE EXPRESS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of PING HAI TREASURE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FOODIE PRINCESS and LONDON LUCKYSTAR were sent for sampling.